Appalachian Arts and Crafts
	From earliest settlement, the people of Appalachia have followed the ideal of creating for themselves those arts and crafts necessary to their lives. Originally this was by necessity, since convenient sources for supplying their wants were not available. Later generations have carried on this ideal either because of this same necessity or out of the desire to preserve traditional handicrafts.

Browse our Suggested Reading List for books of interest.

Broadside Television Collection Includes videotape recordings related to such topics as apple- butter making, basketry, broom making, craft festivals, the Foxfire program, musical instrument making, quiltmaking, sled making, toy making, weaving, and woodcraft.

Helen Bullard Collection An Appalachian artist, Bullard's collection documents her artistic activities and her research for the book Crafts and Craftsmen of the Tennessee Mountains. Material relates to such crafts as doll making, folk art, jewelry making, pottery, textile decoration, weaving, and woodcarving. Collection is a microfilmed copy of the Bullard materials at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Thomas G. Burton Collection Includes manuscript material, photographs, audio and video recordings related to such subjects as blacksmithing, clothes making, doll making, dulcimer making, food preservation, Iron Mountain stoneware, log cabin construction, molasses making, quilting and quilting bees, wine making, and woodworking. Restriction: Recordings may not be duplicated without the written permission of the donor.

Burton-Manning Collection This extensive folklore collection includes recordings of Appalachian residents explaining various handicraft work and early methods for making such things as coopering, log cabin construction, weaving, the making of clothes, furniture, folk toys, and musical instruments. Restriction: Recordings may not be duplicated without the permission of the donor.

David Diehl Collection Contains the account book Diehl used as a farmer and cooper in Breckingridge Co., Va. and Washington Co., Tenn., 1850-1882.

Charles R. Gunter, Jr. Collection Includes audio recordings of Appalachian residents explaining such topics as dulcimer making, early food preparation, lye soap making, maple syrup and molasses making, roof shingling, and woodworking.

Kenneth Maynard Murray Photographs Includes photographs Murray took in the region involved with activities such as blacksmithing, coopering, handicrafts, molasses making, quilting, and various farm work. Restriction: Photographs may not be published without the permission of Kenneth Murray.

David Larry Nave Collection Includes manuscript material, slides, and video recordings of area residents discussing or demonstrating such activities as bee- keeping, food preparation, herb gathering, quilting, and toy making.

Sing Along with Appalachia Collection Collection consists of photographic prints and negatives focusing on aspects of life in the southern mountains, especially in that area now a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many of the images show life there in the 1930's. Subjects examined include blacksmithing, carding wool, coopering, food preparation and storage, molasses making, quilting, rifle making, soap making, tanning leather, yarn weaving, and woodworking. Restriction: Photographs may not be published without the permission of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Appalachian Photographic Archive

The Appalachian Photographic Archive includes prints on blacksmithing, coopers and cooperage, food preservation, handicrafts, molasses making, quilting, and tanning.

Appalachian Publications Files

These files include copies of periodicals relating to arts and crafts, including Appalachian Heritage, The Arts Journal, Folk Arts Notes, Highland Highlights, Mingled Yarns, The Quilt Journal, and North Carolina Arts.

The following is a list of selected titles relating to Appalachian arts and crafts, and regional artists and artisans. For a complete listing, please consult Sherrod Library Online Catalog.

Caldwell, Benjamin H., Jr. Tennessee Silversmiths. 1988.

Eaton, Allen H. Handicrafts of the Southern Highlands. 1937.

Finster, Howard. Howard Finster, stranger from another world: man of visions now on this earth. 1989.

Gaston, Kay Baker. Ima Bell Miles. 1985.

George, Phyllis. Kentucky crafts: heartfelt and handmade. 1989.

Goodrich, Frances L. Mountain Homespun. 1989 (reprint)

House, Charles. The outrageous life of Henry Faulkner: portrait of an Appalachian artist. 1988.

Irwin, John Rice. Baskets and basket makers in Southern Appalachia. 1982.

Jones, Michael Owen. Craftsman of the Cumberlands: tradition and creativity. 1989.

Krechniak, Helen Bullard. Crafts and Craftsmen of the Tennessee Mountains. 1976.

Lampbell, Ramona and Millard. O, Appalachia: artists of the southern mountains. 1989.

Lewis, Alfred Allan. The Mountain Artisans Quilting Book. 1973.

Morgan, Lucy with LeGette Bylthe. Gift from the Hills. 1958.

Newbound, Betty and Bill. Southern Potteries Inc. Blue Ridge Dinnerware. n.d.

O'Kelley, Mattie Lou. Mattie Lou O'Kelley, folk artist. 1989.

Ramsey, Bets and MeriKay Waldvogel. The Quilts of Tennessee. 1986.

Smith, G. Ross. Come Go With Me. 1977.

Southern Highland Handicraft Guild. Crafts in the Southern Highlands. 1958.

Whitson, Mont. Appalachian business heritage: the surviving craftsman fulfilling the American dream. 1982.

Wigginton, Eliot, ed. Foxfire. This nine volume series (1972-86) is very useful in its' discussion and illustration of numerous Appalachian arts, crafts, and handiwork.

Educational Media

Hands All Around, a videotape outreach program, explores the important role quilts and quilting have played in the lives of the region's people. It is available on loan from the Archives.